Opel returns to Australasia – but New Zealand only

A return of Opel to Australia has been ruled out by Stellantis, despite the German brand’s forthcoming re-launch in New Zealand.

Opel cars are returning to New Zealand in the second half of 2022 to take advantage of the country’s new Clean Car Standard, which will offer rebates for low-emission vehicles.

Auto Distributors New Zealand will import economical turbo-petrol and electric models that all qualify for rebates by emitting 146 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

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2022 Opel Astra

Opel is being pitched in New Zealand as “Germany’s most efficient brand”.

The company already looks after the Peugeot and Citroën brands, making for a natural fit. The Peugeot-Citroen group (PSA) bought Peugeot from General Motors in 2017.

In 2020, PSA and FiatChrysler merged under the new group name Stellantis.

Stellantis’s Australian arm, however, says there is no intention to revive a brand that has had a troubled existence locally.

"There are no plans to bring Opel to Australia," a Stellantis spokesperson told Wheels.

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2017 Opel Insignia

Opel vehicles planned for New Zealand include petrol and electric versions of the Corsa city car and Mokka compact SUV, petrol and hybrid versions of the new-generation Astra hatchback, and the midsized Grandland SUV.

The larger Crossland SUV, Combo Life multi-seater people-mover, plus the Vivaro and Movano vans are in the future-product pipeline.

Opels were last sold in Australia in 2020 when the Astra and Insignia were rebadged Holdens prior to the brand’s famous closure.

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2016 Opel GT Concept

The Insignia name was changed to Commodore, but the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive large car with four- and six-cylinder engines struggled to appeal to Australians accustomed to rear-wheel drive and V8s.

The Opel brand was introduced to Australia in 2012, selling the Corsa, Astra, Insignia and Zafira (people-mover) models. However, after poor initial sales – fewer than a thousand over a nine-month period – Opel made a premature exit from the market.